Liberty University Phil201 Study Guide Lesson 9

Liberty University Phil201 Study Guide: Lesson 9

The Mind/Body Problem

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, we take on one of the most puzzling issues in metaphysics—the relationship between the immaterial mind and the material body. What is the nature of this relationship? Are there 2 substances, mind and body, or is it possible to reduce these to just 1 substance, mind or body? This is not just an abstract philosophical question, for it goes to the heart of who we are and has implications for psychology, morality, and theology.

Tasks

View and take notes from the presentation, “The Mind/Body Problem.”

View and take notes of the presentation, “Proposed Solutions to the Mind/Body Problem.”

Read Chapter 3 of Metaphysics: Constructing a World View, “Minds and Bodies.” As you do, make sure you understand the following points and questions:

• Know Hasker’s statement of the mystery of the mind and body (and its difference from the problem as stated in the power point presentations).
• Explain the distinction between mental and physical properties.
• What is Behaviorism’s way of avoiding the problem?
• What is Idealism’s way of avoiding the problem?
• Identify the problems with behaviorism and idealism.
• What is the meaning of dualism and dualistic interactionism?
• What arguments/advantages of dualism and what are the problems with this view?
• Explain the meaning of materialism and the identity theory.
• Identify the arguments/advantages of materialism and problems with the view.
• Explain the meaning of emergentism.
• Compare and contrast the mind (soul) of dualism with emergentism.
• Know the following problem of life after death for emergentism (also note the problem mentioned in the power point presentations with epiphenomalism—it may hold with Hasker’s emergentism as well).
• Explain the meaning of John Hick’s view of resurrection as re-creation and the problems with such a view.

Terms

Make sure you can explain the following terms and concepts:

·         Substance Dualism

·         Causal Relationship

·         Contiguity

·         Priority

·         Necessary Connection

·         The Mind/Body Problem

·         Interactionism

·         Parallelism

·         Pre-Established Harmony

·         Occasionalism

·         Epiphenomenalism

·         Idealism

·         Materialism

·         Physical Property

·         Mental Property

·         Philosophical Behaviorism

·         Identity Theory

·         Emergentism

·         Re-Embodied vs. Re-Created